Orthodontists build complex problem solving, coordination and social perceptiveness skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Orthotists and Prosthetists (49%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orthotists and Prosthetists | 49% | $81,110 | −72% | None |
| 2 | Medical Dosimetrists | 48% | $147,470 | −49% | None |
| 3 | Athletic Trainers | 47% | $62,520 | −78% | None |
| 4 | Dental Assistants | 46% | $48,070 | −83% | None |
| 5 | Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 45% | $98,920Pay for the broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 6 | Health Informatics Specialists | 45% | $105,850Pay for the broader BLS group “Computer Systems Analysts” | Not compared | None |
| 7 | Geneticists | 45% | $98,920Pay for the broader BLS group “Biological Scientists, All Other” | Not compared | None |
| 8 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 45% | $103,410 | −64% | None |
| 9 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 45% | $93,250 | −68% | None |
| 10 | Epidemiologists | 43% | $87,220 | −70% | None |
Compared with Orthodontists, median $289,140. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as orthodontists (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
49% skill match · $81,110 · −72% pay
Repairing · Technology Design · Equipment Maintenance
48% skill match · $147,470 · −49% pay
Programming · Systems Evaluation
47% skill match · $62,520 · −78% pay
Instructing · Quality Control Analysis · Equipment Maintenance
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Orthotists and Prosthetists (49% skill match, median $81,110), Medical Dosimetrists (48% skill match, median $147,470) and Athletic Trainers (47% skill match, median $62,520), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
None of the 25 closest matches pays more than orthodontists at the national median (BLS May 2025). Higher-paying moves usually need more training.
25 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.